Whisky River Ranch Winery is a full-service winemaking facility in St. Helena, California
We provide everything our clients need to make their wines, including professional winemaking consultation (18 years of experience) and cellar services.
The Latest Winemaking Technologies
Whisky River Ranch Winery provides clients with the latest technology in fruit processing equipment, including:
- Pellenc Crusher/Stemmer
- Diemme Velvet 150 Bladder Press (12-ton whole cluster fruit)
- Wilmes Bladder Press (5-ton whole cluster fruit)
- Waukesha 130
- Yamada Air Pump
- Tank sizes ranging from 250 gals to 13,000 (large selection of tanks, foam insulated for extended storage)
- Portable glycol tank heater
- Mc Clain Ozone Machine
- Aquatools barrel washer/KEW pressure washer
- Plate and Frame Filter
- 6,000 Square Foot Barrel Cave
- Oneo Dev Micro Oxygenation Unit
Just 20 Minutes from St. Helena
Our custom crush facility is located in the beautiful Pope Valley (Napa County), just 20 minutes from St. Helena on the back side of Howell Mountain. Pope Valley is a magical place, with a rich winemaking history dating back to 1887. Rolling green hills are strewn with vineyards and olive groves, horses and cattle, making for a serene and awe-inspiring setting in which to make your wines. Our ranch totals approximately 160 acres and includes the historic Pope Valley Airport, and adjoining lodge and motel (no longer open for business). We grow grapes for some of the top wineries in the Napa Valley and have plans to expand our vineyards soon.
We were established with the goal that we would provide world-class winemaking services in an area of Napa that has been largely underserved. We have accomplished this and are looking forward to expanding and continuing our excellent service.
The primary focus for Whisky River Ranch Winery currently is to provide winery services (crush, fermentation, storage, bottling) to third party producers. At this stage Whisky River is not producing its own wine for the retail market but future plans include a label. The vineyard is leased and farmed by Renteria Vineyard Management, a well-established and reputable management company and all of the grapes grown at the property are sold to interested third parties.
Top Winemaking Talent
Whisky River Ranch is run by dependable, creative winemakers and staff including:
Jason Welch: Head Winemaker
Jason’s career spans over 17 vintages of wine experience in the Carmel Valley, Napa Valley, Sonoma and Lake County. His first start in the wine business was from the ground up, working in the cellar for Heller Estate in Carmel Valley. Quickly moving up to Cellar Master at Wattle Creek Winery in the Alexander Valley, he then was appointed to Assistant Winemaker for Cult producer Lewis Cellars in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley. Stints at Charles Krug, and The Ranch as a staff winemaker to learn the custom-crush side of the business followed. He then was hired to take the reigns at Shannon Ridge Family of Wines in Lake County as Head Winemaker in charge of all winemaking operations. Jason’s extensive wine production and winemaking skills are extremely well-rounded and respected. Also, he has a natural way with his clients, always making them feel comfortable and confident in the services he provides for their wine projects. He lives on the ranch at the winery with his shadow (Golden Retriever) Ruby, and a 20lb crazy housecat named Kiyah! He loves to garden (citrus is his passion), play golf, snow ski, cook and travel.
Luis Maldonado: Cellar Manager
Barbara Lloyd: Office Manager
Join as a Custom Crush Client
Interested in joining as a custom crush client? Get in touch with us to discuss rates and availability.
Phone
(707) 815-1339
Address
1844 Pope Canyon Rd, St Helena, CA 94574
Future Plans
We are excited to announce our vision for the future of Whisky River Ranch Winery. With our continued growth and success, we have decided to expand our winery and make significant upgrades to accommodate the demands of our ever growing client roster. These pictures will give you an idea of our vision for the future. We look forward to sharing it with you.
For more information, please contact Jason Welch at 707-815-1339.
